12 ways to make smarter, better decisions

Practice being decisive, plan ahead, and simplify the battlefield. Also, be confident like ‘The Fonz.’

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Ragan Insider Content

Is indecisiveness holding you back at work?

Whether you’re a perfectionist or a procrastinator—or if you just struggle to complete projects on time—lack of action could be damaging your career.

Here are 12 ways to improve your decision making, increase confidence, and get more done.

1. Use both sides of your brain.

“Each time we make a choice, I believe that our left-brain arm-wrestles with our right,” writes Michael Levine. “The left (and more pragmatic side) tells us to act logically, while our right puts up a dramatic fight for following the heart’s content.”

The solution here is to strike a balance between both sides when making decisions. To do so, conduct a quick cost-benefit analysis weighing potential benefits against the negatives.

2. Simplify the battlefield.

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